The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-03
W0MAN'S SUFFRAGE In KANSAS.
Mrs. Cougar Tells How She and Others Sc
cured the Passage of the New Law.

To Mrs Helen NJ. Cougar, of this State, large
ly belongs the credit of the law recently adopted
in Kansas giving women the right to vote and
hold Office in all municipal affairs in that State.
The sentiment for this measure was very
strong, as evidenced by the vote of % to Is
in the Senate and 90 to % in the House, by
which it was adopted Kansas is the first State
in the Union to adopt such law. In an inter
view with Journal reporter yesterday, Mrs
Cougar said. Il was quite conversant with the SEN
timent of the people, from having spoken much in
the State. ] believed they had tried the enforce
ment of prohibition long enough to knowthat men
alone could never enforce the law as effectually
as it should be done. 1t has always been a the
DRY with me thae women. being the
natural enemies Of the liquor traffic,
must be the ones to vote 1T out of existence
They are the great 'und.seased constituency of
this country, and their enforcement ballot is the
one thing needed to crush the rum power. Two
years ago went into the regular session of the
Kansas Legislature, and caused the bill to be in
troduced. l found a large majority in the
House in favor of it, but tie in the Senate.
At once the bill attracted wide spread attention
throughout the State. and had numerous
friends especially with the Republican press.
Knowing that an extra session of the Legisa-
ture must be held the next winter. arranged to
hold meetings in those districts where the oppos-
ing Senators resided. In the extra session we
found wonderful growth Of opinion in its
favor, and had it not been for the shortness of
the term. the bill would have passed This present
session we had the same Senate, but
new House to deal with. At each session was
accorded the privilege of addressing the mem
bers of the Legislature. the first time as spe
cial order of business the constitutionality of
| the law. Petitions bearing the names of thou
| sands upon thousands of men and women came
up from all parts of the State to assist the good
| work. In the two years | delivered over two
| hundred lectures on behalf of the measure, and
| watched with all the zeal at my command the
! appointment of committees and managers of the
| bill OF course, am delighted at the victory
| ana believe it means more to the moral questions
| that are attracting the public mind than any
| other measure that has been passed for the last
! fifty years. The entire Republican press of the
| State finally gave its support TO the measure.
| and with but exception, the Wichita Bea-
con- the entire Democratic press opposed us.
| while but four Democrats in the House voted
for us and all the Democrats in the Senate voted
! against US.
'Then you are in favor Of tie Republican par
| ty in Kansas"
Certainly. Why not2 1t has given just such
| legislation as both the temperance and woman
suffrage advocates have asked. and it's entire
power has been used in favor of the highest NOR
| al legislation as fast public sentiment will
| Justify, and there is no need of any other party
there l am anxious that people shall watch
the result of the women's vote in the coming
April elections in Kansas. claim it will bear
fruitful lesson on behalf of morality in govern
ment"